Beauty lesson: Earthfriendly products

Some of the least sustainable items in your home might be the easiest to fix.

The cat’s out of the bag: everyone knows the beauty industry has a planet problem. From packaging to ingredients and carbon footprint, it’s not sustainable. So, many of us are reflecting on how we can consume more thoughtfully. Embarking on an environmentally conscious journey can feel overwhelming. But every little step in the right direction helps. And the good news is it’s easier than ever to be green these days.

The first place to start is with a self-audit, because one of the best things we can do for the planet is consume less. Look at what you really use and enjoy, versus products you don’t need to replace when they run out. Beyond buying less, packaging is also important. I look for zero-waste products, like Clover Fields Shampoo With a Purpose bars, which have organic ingredients such as shea butter and argan oil, and save six shampoo and conditioner bottles from polluting the environment. Bamboo toothbrushes are another easy win.

Keep in mind that only 9 per cent of all plastic waste produced has been turned into something we can use again. That’s why brands that offer refills, such as YSL Pure Shots, Fenty and L’Occitane, make sense. You buy the (often recycled) packaging once, and replace the formulas as they run out.

Another element worth considering is the ingredients – are they farmed sustainably? And how will they impact your body? The ingredients in Bite Beauty lipsticks are good enough to eat, which is something I think about ever since a gastroenterologist told me lipstick can contribute to gut issues. We eat kilos of the stuff in a lifetime. Other luxury brands known for their ecobotanicals and safe synthetics include Kosas, Eva Perez and Ilia. These luxe formulas all look as good as they feel.

Finally, by deep-diving on a brand and its ethics before purchasing, anyone can become an expert. If no-animal testing is important to you, look for the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny logo (found on all Garnier products now). If the oceans matter to you, invest in Aveda, a brand deeply rooted in preserving and protecting them for decades. Burt’s Bees has kept operational waste out of landfill since 2011.

Hopefully, in time, your beauty products will be as good for the planet as they are for your sense of wellbeing.